By Donald Kumun
For decades, Benue State has been known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” which summarizes its vast, fertile lands, and deep-rooted agricultural heritage. But beneath the rich soil and thriving farmlands, lies a story of immense, untapped potential. It is a story of solid minerals waiting to be mined, of cultural treasures, ripe for discovery, and of a people, ready to build a new, more prosperous future.
Under the leadership of the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Benue State, is making a bold bid to write a new chapter, one that moves beyond its traditional identity to become a diversified economic powerhouse.
This transformative vision was on full display in Makurdi recently as the State Government, hosted a high-level delegation from the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). The purpose of the visit was clear: to present and verify the state’s ambitious proposal for a ₦267.2 billion grant from the Natural Resources Development Fund (NRDF). This is not just a request for financial aid; it is a strategic blueprint to unlock the state’s potential and create a resilient, inclusive economy for generations to come.
Governor Alia’s administration has laid out a Ten-Year Strategic Development Plan anchored on Seven key pillars. These pillars are designed to transform the State into a dynamic economic hub, driven by bold exploration, innovation, and strategic partnerships. The Governor, in his address to the RMAFC delegation, emphasized that this is a defining moment for the State. He sees the NRDF engagement as a crucial and catalytic step that aligns perfectly with the state’s long-term aspirations.
The administration’s resolve is to turn Benue into a center for: Solid mineral wealth: Moving beyond simple extraction to value-added exploitation; Commercial agriculture, and agro-industrial innovation: Shifting from subsistence farming to large-scale, commercial operations; Tourism and the creative sectors: Reviving and promoting the state’s unique cultural heritage, and natural beauty; Infrastructure development: Building the roads, bridges, and facilities needed to unlock the potential of both rural and urban areas.
This multifaceted approach is intended to tackle some of the state’s most persistent challenges and deliver tangible results. Governor Alia, highlighted key outcomes of the funding, including the diversification of the state’s economy, a significant increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and the creation of sustainable jobs. He underscored that the plan is designed to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and foster a private-sector-friendly environment, ultimately accelerating inclusive socioeconomic growth.
Benue’s reputation as the Food Basket of the Nation, is well-earned, but the state is now aiming to take its agricultural sector to the next level. This is the adventure into governance that the Governor priotizes throughout his administration. The proposal, presented by consultant Adewale Bodede of AOD Enterprise Support Ltd, during RMAFC’s visit to the Governor, focuses on reactivating dormant farm estates across the 23 local government areas of the State. The plan begins with a pilot project in Vandeikya, aiming to create jobs, boost food production, and encourage value-added processing.
A key part of this strategy is the establishment of a fruit processing factory. This facility would handle products Benue is famous for-mangoes, tomatoes, and citrus—transforming raw agricultural produce into finished goods. This move would not only increase the value of the state’s exports but also create a stable market for local farmers. By shifting from simply growing and selling crops to processing and packaging them, Benue State, under the leadership of the Governor, can capture more value and generate higher returns, fueling economic growth, and creating a robust, self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem.
Benue’s potential extends far beyond its fertile soil. The state is vastly under explored despite being rich in minerals like coal and limestone. Dr. Erdoo Mongu, the Managing Director of the Benue Geomining Agency, passionately outlined the state’s mineral endowment. She called for funding to enable detailed geological exploration, reserve mapping, and the establishment of processing facilities.
As directed by the Governor, her vision is to turn Benue into more than just a mineral source, but a mineral powerhouse, by adding value to the minerals before they are exported, to enable the “Food basket State”, generate more revenue and create a thriving local industry. This strategic focus on mining represents a significant opportunity to diversify Benue’s economy and attract investments from both national and international partners.
Beyond its natural resources, Benue State also boasts a rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. The administration of the Governor, plans to harness these assets to build a vibrant tourism sector, geared towards an integrated plan to transform Makurdi into a modern tourism hub. The ambitious plans includes revamping the Makurdi Zoo, introducing an amusement and cultural park, and establishing a world-class island resort on Makurdi Island.
But the plan isn’t limited to physical infrastructure. Benue’s rich cultural traditions, such as Tiv puppetry, traditional music, and dance, as valuable, untapped treasures – by investing in these areas, can create a unique cultural tourism experience that attracts visitors and generates new revenue streams. This approach recognizes that the state’s identity is a powerful economic asset and that with the right investment, tourism can become one of Benue’s strongest engines of growth.
As a State currently led by a regime engrossed in the task and shared commitment to a brighter future, the RMAFC delegation, led by Chairman of the Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, was impressed by Benue’s structured and ambitious proposals.
He praised the state for its comprehensive submission, noting that the NRDF was created to help States and local governments, diversify away from a dependency on oil revenue. He assured the state government that the visit was an important step in verifying the viability of the projects and the state’s readiness.
The RMAFC team, concluded its on-the-ground assessments, and it is expected that a final recommendation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Amhed Tinubu, GCFR, would be presented to him, for approval. The outcome of this process will determine whether Benue’s bold bet on a new future will pay off. But one thing is clear: the Food Basket of the Nation is ready to lead the way in the non-oil economic space, building a resilient and prosperous state not just for today, but for generations yet unborn. The seeds of a new Benue have been sown, and the State is now waiting for the rain.
Kumun, is the Principal Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Print Media, and writes from Makurdi the State Capital.